The Summer Update!

Originally published on the DaninOttawa.com site on August 17, 2012.


The Summer Update!

I have lost track of the number of meetings, events and stops during my summer listening tour however I would gage the number at well over one hundred. I greatly value each and every meeting as I believe it is important to hear from people first and whenever possible directly in the community. Every region in Okanagan-Coquihalla is unique and different as are the citizens who live there. What is also fascinating is how certain communities tackle common problems, for example in the community of Logan Lake they have developed one of the most innovative and unique means of providing cable services bar none. I am already looking forward to a future opportunity for a standing order in the House of Commons so I can share the success of the Logan Lake TV Society with my colleagues in Ottawa.

On that Ottawa note you may have read recently that the House of Commons has eliminated an MP perk that provided massage therapy services as part of a $ 100 annual gym membership. For the record, I fully support the elimination of these services paid for by taxpayers.  We as MP’s we are paid a generous wage and we can certainly afford to pay for such services without one being subsidized by taxpayers. The gym I  joined in Ottawa is a block away from my Ottawa office. I find the time away refreshing and the workouts spirited, but my biggest challenge is finding more time to attend.

One month from today I will be back in Ottawa as the House resumes session on September 17th.  After the 17th the fall session begins with roughly 12 weeks of debate including the introduction and passage of new bills in the House along with Committee work and other duties that help to ensure Okanagan-Coquihalla continues moving forward.  I expect another vigorous session and do not hold up much hope that the civil tone we have been striving for will prevail. I am told that in December at some point the Members Office spending reports will finally be released and that will allow for my annual accountability report to be put forward. I had hoped to send the report out several months ago, however the timing of the release date for public accounts did not allow for that.

Although my calendar is fairly full I would like to see it even more full.  If you would like to schedule a meeting over the next few weeks please contact my office to arrange for a suitable time. I would like to hear from you. You can contact me at dan.albas@parl.gc.ca or by phone at (250) 770-4480.